Tatkal Passport and How to Get It

Passport is the best identification source of any individual in the country. And besides serving the purpose of identity, it is also useful in getting a visa in case you are travelling to another country. In the olden days, applying for a passport and getting one was quite a tedious process. However, lately, with the emergence of the Online Passport Seva, the entire process has been simplified manifold. Now there is also Tatkal Passport option where you can get one really quickly in case of an emergency, and you don’t have to wait with bated breath for months on end for the passport to arrive.

In order to apply for a Tatkal passport, you will have to pay a little extra charges. But the bright side is that it is applicable for both new and for renewal of old passports as well. Although the time duration or the time taken to process the application is more or less the same, the applicants need to state a genuine reason or their urgency for the same. If the emergency is not genuine enough, your application may stand cancelled.

1. Tatkal Scheme Eligibility

   To get the Tatkal Scheme approved, the applicants need to produce a genuine reason or the urgency for which they need the passport on a fast track basis. The  jurisdictional passport office holds the final say in who gets the approval and who doesn’t. In case, the reasons for the requirement do not qualify as the right reasons, the applicants are denied the Tatkal Passport Scheme. Given below are a list of requirements to have when applying for the same-
   1. Citizens who are born of Indian descent parents outside India.
   2. Citizens who have acquired the citizenship of India on the foundation of naturalization/ registration.
   3. Applicants that have been deported from other countries, back to India.
   4. Applicants who have been deported by the government from other countries, at the government’s cost.
   5. If the applicant wants to get the name change i.e. a major change in the name.
   6. Applicants who are residents of Jammu & Kashmir and Nagaland.
   7. Naga born citizens who do not reside outside Nagaland.
   8. Children that are adopted by Indian and foreign parents.
   9. Minor children with a single parent.
   10. Minors staying in Nagaland
   11. Short passport validity renewal.
   12. Renewal in case of Passport theft or loss.
   13. Renewal in case of heavy damage of passport.
   14. In case of change in sex or appearance.
   15. In case of change of important personal credentials like signatures.

2. How to Apply for a Tatkal Passport

   To apply for a Tatkal Passport, here’s a list of instructions you need to follow-
   1. The first and foremost step to apply for a Tatkal passport, the applicants need to register themselves at-https://portal2.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/user/RegistrationBaseAction
   2. Once the applicants have registered, they are provided with a unique login ID and username- https://portal1.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/user/userLogin
   3. This will lead to another menu with two options- Fresh and/or Re-issue. Select the appropriate option. 
   4. In the Scheme type, click on the ‘Tatkal’ option.
   5. Proceed to download the form and then fill it. 
   6. At the time of online submission of the form, the applicants are also required to submit annexure e for tatkal passport, with the same.
   7. Once done, move over to the payment option. 
   8. After the payment has been done, the applicants are to download the receipt of the online payment.
   9. The last step is to book the appointment date at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

3. Documents Required for Tatkal Passport

   Here the list of documents that the applicants are required when applying for a tatkal passport. 
   1. Verification Certificate as per Annexure F
   2. The applicants are allowed to produce any 3 from the list below-
   3. Election Card
   4. Service Photo ID Card
   5. SC/ ST, OBC Certificate (if any)
   6. Identification Cards of Freedom Fighters
   7. Arms Licence
   8. Ration Card
   9. Property Documents
   10. Pension documents
   11. Railway Photo Identity card
   12. PAN card issued by the Income Tax Department
   13. Bank Passbook
   14. Student's ID card from a recognized institution
   15. Driving license
   16. Birth certificate
   17. Gas connection bill

Remember to fill the annexure e for the tatkal passport as it is very important.

Tatkal Passport Charges and Fees

1. Fresh Passport (For a 36 page passport)
   1. Below 15 years - INR 3000
   2. Between 15-18 years (validity till applicant reaches 18 years)  - INR 3000
   3. Between 15-18 years (10 year validity) - INR 3500
   4. 18 years and above - INR 3500
2. Fresh Passport ((For a 60 page passport)
   1. Between 15-18 years (10 year validity) - INR 4000
   2. 18 years and above - INR 4000
3. Reissue/ Renewal Passport (For a 36 page passport)
   1. Less than 15 years - INR 3000
   2. Between 15-18 years (till applicant reaches 18 years)  - INR 3000
   3. Between 15-18 years (10 year validity) - INR 3500
   4. 18 years and above  - INR 3500
4. Reissue/ Renewal Passport (For a 60 page passport)
   1. Between 15-18 years (10 year validity) - INR 4000
   2. 18 years and above - INR 4000

How much time does it take for a Tatkal Passport to Arrive

A Tatkal Passport service means faster process and a faster delivery. Once the appointment has been booked and met by the applicant. And the necessary documents have been provided at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), it just takes around 1 - 3 days for the passport to be dispatched. Application in this category not only guarantees an early appointment but also saves the applicants from the queue.

In case, there is no police verification required, the passport is dispatched within 1 working day of the submission of the documents. But in case, police verification is required, the passport is issued on the 3rd working day of the submission.